New Mexico’s Public Health records reveal alarming details from the property formerly owned by actor Gene Hackman and his late wife, Betsy Arakawa, who died earlier this year. Investigators discovered numerous rodent nests, droppings, and deceased rodents within outbuildings located near the couple's residence. Betsy Arakawa's death was linked to hantavirus, a disease transmitted via infected rodents, leading to serious respiratory illness: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).
Officials confirmed that Ms. Arakawa, 65, succumbed to the illness believed to have developed just a week before the passing of her husband, who was 95 and suffering from severe Alzheimer's disease. The tragic deaths attracted the attention of health authorities who conducted an environmental assessment of the property shortly after the bodies were uncovered on February 26.
The assessment, conducted on March 5, highlighted the presence of rodent feces, live rodents, and nests scattered throughout three garages, as well as in additional external buildings and sheds. Traps were placed to combat the infestation, and sightings of rodents and nests were recorded in abandoned vehicles on the grounds. Notably, the couple’s main residence appeared clean with no signs of rodent activity.
Medical investigators determined Ms. Arakawa likely contracted HPS, which presents with symptoms such as fatigue, fever, muscle aches, and can quickly escalate to severe respiratory distress. The CDC indicates the mortality rate for HPS can reach 38% in cases where respiratory symptoms appear.
Gene Hackman’s cause of death was linked to severe heart disease, with his Alzheimer's condition playing a potential role in his inability to recognize his wife’s passing. This sequence of events raises awareness about the dangers of hantavirus, with the CDC reporting approximately 864 cases in the U.S. from 1993 to 2022, mainly impacting rural areas in the western states.
